The Dukedome of Lothoringia. 363 / Lotharingia

Title

The Dukedome of Lothoringia. 363 / Lotharingia

Description

The map shows the former region of Lorraine, with its capital Metz in France, and a title cartouche. The reverse side features a description in English.

ca. 1635

Artist

Sparke (1588-1653)

Michael Sparke was a printerpublisher, writer, compiler-editor, and promoter of conservative Puritan political and religious views. The years before 1627 were years of preparation for Sparke, during which he acquired professional skills, built up his business, and began to write. The years between 1627 and 1640 were he formed a working alliance with William Prynne to devote himself to the political and and religious policies of the government of Charles I and Archbishop William Laud and Archbishop William, he got into great legal trouble over the controversial books he printed for Prynne and other notable Puritan figures. The years between 1627 and 1640 were those crowned with success for Sparke, the political and religious principles he had long supported gaining official recognition with his more influential ally Prynne.

Historical Description

The area around the Moselle, populated mainly by Celtic tribes, was conquered by Gaius Iulius Caesar in the Gallic War between 58 and 51 BC and later became part of the Roman province of Gallia Belgica. From a division of the Frankish Empire into three parts, the Lotharii Regnum, the "Empire of Lothar" or Lotharingia, named after its king, emerged in 843. s lay in the middle between the East and West Frankish Empires and originally stretched as an elongated territory from the Mediterranean to the North Sea. In 870, the area was again divided between the East and West Frankish Empires.